nas-drops-“black-magic”-music-video

Nas drops “Black Magic” music video

Mass Appeal Nas released the music video for “Black Magic,” one of 11 songs off his latest album, Magic 2.  Directed by Thirdeyeraz, the Los Angeles-based filmmaker whose resume includes the likes of A$AP Rocky, Kanye West and Megan Thee Stallion, the otherworldly new visual is an embodiment of the lyrics of the song. “Black Magic” is the most recent video dropped by…

jennifer-hudson-reflects-on-her-20-year-‘american-idol’-anniversary

Jennifer Hudson reflects on her 20-year ‘American Idol’ anniversary

Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic In August 2003, a 21-year-old Jennifer Hudson traveled from Chicago to Atlanta to audition for American Idol. Now, at 41, she’s reflecting on the 20 years its been since she made that life-changing trip. She took to Instagram with a clip of her audition where, in front of original show judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell, she sang a portion of Aretha Franklin‘s “Share Your Love with Me.” “It…

drake,-cardi-b,-eminem-&-nicki-minaj-among-list-of-artists-with-rap-songs-at-almost-1-billion-streams

Drake, Cardi B, Eminem & Nicki Minaj among list of artists with rap songs at almost 1 billion streams

Ethan Miller/Getty Images via ABC Hip Hop All Day, Spotify’s resource for hip-hop and R&B music, curated a list of 50 rap songs with close to 1 billion streams — and Drake, Cardi B and Eminem are among the top earners.  Coming in at number one with 992 million streams is “What You Know Bout Love” from Pop Smoke‘s debut album, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon.…

vic-mensa-to-join-chance-the-rapper-for-‘acid-rap’-10-year-anniversary-shows

Vic Mensa to join Chance the Rapper for ‘Acid Rap’ 10-year anniversary shows

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Samsung Galaxy Chance the Rapper is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Acid Rap with two special concerts — and he’s bringing a special guest along.  Fellow Chicago native Vic Mensa will join Chance in New York on August 26 and Los Angeles on September 21 for performances of songs from the hit mixtape that debuted in April…

own-to-premiere-five-part-docuseries-on-‘essence-magazine’

OWN to premiere five-part docuseries on ‘Essence Magazine’

OWN OWN will premiere Time of Essence, a five-part docuseries on the trailblazing magazine Essence, on Friday night.  The one-hour special will chronicle the magazine’s 50-year impact on Black culture and entertainment, with commentary from Oprah Winfrey, Taraji P. Henson, Gabrielle Union-Wade, Sunny Hostin and more. With never-before-seen footage and behind-the-scenes exclusives, each of the five episodes will explore a different decade, starting with the ’70s,…

taye-diggs,-glee-vet-amber-riley-to-voice-king-triton-and-ursula-for-‘disney-junior’s-ariel’

Taye Diggs, Glee vet Amber Riley to voice King Triton and Ursula for ‘Disney Junior’s Ariel’

Disney At a Disney Junior & Friends Playdate event at Disney California Adventure Park on Friday, August 18, Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, announced plans for content headed to the kids network. For one, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, the hugely popular 2006 animated series, is getting a reboot. The new show, tentatively titled Mickey…

new-music-friday:-rod-wave,-lil-durk,-doechii,-quavo-and-more

New Music Friday: Rod Wave, Lil Durk, Doechii, Quavo and more

From heartfelt R&B tracks to tribute albums and club anthems, check out this week’s New Music Friday for the culture’s latest & greatest in music. —Quavo, Rocket Power — The Migos member’s second solo project, and first since Takeoff‘s death, is an 18-track tribute to his late nephew, with features from Atlanta rappers Future and Hunxho.    —Rod Wave, “Call Your Friends” — The Florida…